“Variety” is the one word that describes the local stage scene this season. Theater fans in the Pasadena, Whittier and San Gabriel Valley areas are sure to find something they like — from dramas to musicals, eclectic offerings to family fun — all in less than an hour’s drive.

“I really try to mix up the programming,” said Tom McCoy, executive producer of McCoy Rigby Entertainment, which provides programming for the La Mirada Theatre of the Performing Arts. “Most theaters do just musicals or just plays, or if they do both, the plays are always not-accessible Neil Simon comedies. I really try to mix it up and give this audience a real variety of what’s out there in the American theater landscape — plays, musicals, comedies, dramas, large and small. And happily they respond.”

Last season’s shows broke box-office records in the history of the La Mirada Theatre, McCoy said. And there will be more firsts this year for theater. “Billy Elliot” will make its West Coast regional theater debut in January while the world premiere of a musical version of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” will take place in April. The company is also the first regional theater offered the rights to the Broadway version of “Mary Poppins,” which it will be presented in June.

But before all the firsts, La Mirada Theatre will present “Good People,” a comedy-drama by David Lindsay-Abaire, from Sept. 19 through Oct. 12. The work won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards’ “Best Play of the 2010-2011 Season” and tells the story of a single mother who loses her job and looks to her high school flame as the way to a fresh start.

While La Mirada likes variety, A Noise Within in Pasadena has made a name for itself by presenting theater classics, sometimes giving them a twist for added impact.

“This season is the epitome of what we do best — present the great works of theater in a way that speaks volumes to modern audiences,” said Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, producing artistic director for ANW. “And our seasonal theme, ‘Revolution,’ couldn’t be more timely. This fall’s plays deal with personal, social and political revolutions that affect us all. We start off with ‘The Tempest,’ including the rare casting of a woman, resident artist Deborah Strang, as Prospero.”

“The Tempest” will be running in repertory through November. It is Shakespeare’s story of a storm that causes a ship to be wrecked on the island where Prospero and her daughter Miranda were marooned 12 years earlier. One of the sailors falls in love with Miranda, but their wedding may be foiled by Prospero’s servant, Caliban. It is a tale full of intrigue, anger, adventure, fairies and love.

Audiences will also enjoy “The Importance of Being Earnest” from Sept. 21 through Nov. 22. It’s considered one of Oscar Wilde’s most popular plays. Then they will be treated to a West Coast premiere of Strindberg’s “The Dance of Death” in a new version by Conor McPherson, running Oct. 12 through Nov. 23.

Pasadena audiences will also be treated to plays with a little edge at The Theatre @ Boston Court. Its full season has not been announced yet, but it will be led off by Samuel Beckett’s tale of perseverance in a world of despair, “Happy Days,” playing now through Oct. 12.

“The plays in our 2015 season examine rich and challenging subject matter relevant to our world today through the lens of non-linear, poetic, highly theatrical texts that insist on engaging the collective imagination,” said Michael Michetti and Jessica Kubzansky, co-artistic directors of Boston Court, in a combined statement. “Our 2015 season, consistent with all our past seasons, seeks to give our audiences an experience they can have nowhere else in Southern California, to experience a risky, adventurous, mind-opening approach that engages the mind, the heart, and the cultural conversation.”

As if that’s not enough, the Pasadena Playhouse has been extending its boundaries over the past few years too, which is strengthening the range of its audiences. Instead of its usual fare of standards and musicals, it has been presenting productions in innovative ways, as well as shows that are completely unexpected and extraordinarily timely.

“I’ve always tried to make seasons that are really diverse theatrically and eclectic,” said Sheldon Epps, artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse.

First, he will treat patrons to the standard, “Kiss Me Kate,” with a historic touch. This production boasts an African-American cast, paying homage to the early-mid 20th century American theater tradition of presenting adaptations of classical works with African-American actors. In November, news headlines get a turn with “Stop Kiss,” a drama about a lesbian couple dealing with the affects of a hate crime.

Michelle Mills has been an entertainment and features reporter for the Southern California News Group since 1999. She has interviewed such notables as Weird Al Yankovic, Glen Campbell, Alice Cooper, Debbie Allen, Ernest Borgnine (during an earthquake) and Adam Young (Owl City). She was the 31st Occasional Pasadena Doo Dah Parade Queen reigning 2007-2009. She is a professional belly dancer (swordwork is her specialty) and also studies Polynesian and Tahitian dance.